Best Ultrabooks 2015

The 2015 edition of the Dell XPS 13 squeezes a 13-inch screen into a chassis the size of an 11-inch notebook by using the world's thinnest bezel. In addition to its svelte form factor, this consumer Ultrabook has an optional WQHD touch screen (or standard full HD panel), an SSD and the latest Intel Broadwell processor. Add in nearly 12 hours of battery life and you have a winner.

With the ZenBook UX305, you get an Ultrabook that packs an Intel Core M CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB solid state drive into an elegant all-aluminum body -- for just $699. The UX305 also features a 13.3-inch display with a matte screen for super-wide viewing angles and easy outdoor visibility. And with its fanless design, there's no noise to disturb your work or Netflix binge session.

With 9.5 hours of battery life, the 3.3-pound HP Spectre x360 lasts longer than most other Ultrabooks, and still provides the full power of an Intel Core i5 processor. Its aluminum chassis is one of the most attractive we've seen, and its screen folds back 360 degrees, converting this notebook into a tablet.

Combining elegant good looks with Windows familiarity, Samsung's ATIV Book 9 Plus should be on your short list of Ultrabook options. It features a supersharp, 13.3-inch, 3200 x 1800-pixel touch screen, and is powered by an Intel Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM with a 128GB SSD. It even lasts 8 hours on a charge.

Lenovo's Yoga 3 Pro is the most versatile Ultrabook yet -- and also the sleekest. This 2-in-1 hybrid sports an elegant watch band-style hinge that makes it a cinch to change from laptop to tablet mode, or use it in tent mode. Plus, the Harmony software presents appropriate apps as you switch modes. The Yoga 3 Pro weighs just 2.6 pounds but packs a brilliant 3200 x 1800-pixel touch screen and fairly speedy Core M CPU.

The Toshiba Portege Z20t offers everything you'd want from a premium Ultrabook: a sharp design, a vibrant full-HD display and fast Core M performance. With dual styluses and a detachable 12.5-inch display, this 2-in-1 doubles as a dependable tablet for sketching and jotting down notes. And with an epic 14.5 hours of battery life, you can feel confident about taking it on any trip.

One of the thinnest and lightest Ultrabooks yet, the EliteBook 1020 is just 0.62 inches thick and weighs just 2.68 pounds, making it more svelte than the Dell XPS 13 and the MacBook Air. Inside the aluminum chassis is a 12.5-inch quad HD display, Intel Core M processor and a Synaptics ForcePad, which uses pressure to register clicks. Business users will like the EliteBook's fingerprint reader, docking port and durability, but we wish the battery lasted a little longer.